I had the opportunity to interview Mr Xavier Tan, local beekeeper and bee conservationist. He is a motivated individual who is highly passionate about protecting bees in the local scene. He started Nutrinest with the purpose to allow for people to be more informed about bees and to be less fearful of them by allowing Singaporeans and bees to interact. By experiencing close encounters with bees, people can see for themselves how bees are not dangerous and not pests, but an important part of the biodiversity.

When interviewed, Mr Xavier expresses how there is a certain degree of difficulty with convincing people to turn to relocation services instead of pest extermination companies. Relocation services are usually carried out at night and it may require more time than the average pest extermination, depending on the circumstance and location of the hive. As a result, people are not receptive towards choosing to relocate the hives. Therefore, it is important to educate the people on the importance of bees and how it is important to conserve them instead of simply calling the pest extermination company. In fact, people should be more receptive and make an attempt to co-exist with bees if there is the space available in their homes or their gardens.

This co-existence can only occur, as Mr Xavier explains, if Singaporeans know about bees and how to behave around them. As bees, unlike pets, do have stings and can be provoked, it is important to know how to take care and act around them. However, bees do not require a lot of care, and they can provide benefit to their caregiver as well, by pollinating the flowers around the hive and also to provide a little honey that they may produce. Ultimately, it is crucial to have a conservationist mindset, to know that protecting bees, is doing good for the environment. It is important to note however, as Singapore is highly condensed with people, it may be better to have co-existence efforts with bees at less crowded places like landed properties or gardens.

It has been 3 years since Nutrinest has started and Mr Xavier has been actively involved in efforts to inform the public about bees. He explains, education is crucial for the acceptance of bees and thus the conservation of bees. Other than relocating and letting others adopt the hives, he gives talks in schools to raise awareness and also conducts events to inform the public.

To learn more about bee conservation efforts, contact Mr Xavier here!